Compact crankset...mmh

jplaurens

I have to change my crankset. Kuota K-03. Noisy on heavy torque, inconsistant shifting and not stiff enough.
I wonder if compact 34/50 would be appropriate instead of 39/53 as I am used to. I have a 10 spd 11-23 cassette and usually carry the same ratios on flat roads when I train on flat circuits with the wind in my back. I do not race but I do like max speeds at the right cadence for as long as I can (flat surfaces).
I know that I wont be disappointed at ratios like 50-12 instead of my actual 53-14. But I wonder when I face the heavy wind and I want to change to my usual 39-13, will I struggle to find a high enough gear with the 34 ring? Will I be able to keep up my usual speed and cadence with a 34 mated with the 12? I cannot imagine using the 34 with the 11?
I know the many advantages of a compact crankset and I am tempted as I do hit hills once in a while but I wonder how serious riders deal with their gear ratios when training hard on flat surfaces with a compact crank. I would like to read your opinions on that. Thx.

rake

you can hit 30mph no problem with a 12tooth and a compact. 45 down hill.

markos1963

If you want a compact and ride on the flat mainly then switch the inner ring to a 36t and you'll find it better for cruising. To be honest though I very rarely use the inner ring on the flat and tend to use the outer most of the time

Smokin Joe

+1 for a 36 inner ring.

50/34 is one huge pain in the ar$e.

Berk Bonebonce

I think a simple logic prevails when it comes to compact chainsets. If you can't get up the hills using 39x23, then there is a case for fitting one. But if you never see a steep hill, then there is, of course, less of a case for fitting a compact.

nmcgann

Berk Bonebonce wrote:

I think a simple logic prevails when it comes to compact chainsets. If you can't get up the hills using 39x23, then there is a case for fitting one. But if you never see a steep hill, then there is, of course, less of a case for fitting a compact.

Yes, live and ride in a flat-ish area and a conventional chainset is absolutely fine. I like a 50T big ring, but there's no need for less than a 38T inner around where I ride (cambs/essex/herts).

jgsi

Likewise with 50t.... happy with that matched with an 11 or 12 for any long downhill.
But the 34 was doing my head in.. so more than happy to have swapped it out for a 38t small ring.

.. but choosing how you ride your gears is so much up to the individual person.
Personally I dont like too much cross between front and rear sprocket and again personally would never ride small to small or big to big.

billy.

JGSI wrote:

Likewise with 50t.... happy with that matched with an 11 or 12 for any long downhill.
But the 34 was doing my head in.. so more than happy to have swapped it out for a 38t small ring.

i wanna change my inner ring on my compact......is it as simple as buying a 38t ring and swapping it over?

some of the rear matches with a 34t are like riding a mountain bike, and unless i visit the alpes i aint gonna need them.

sorry to hijack the thread OP. :oops:

jgsi

In response to swapping inner ring....depends on your orig chainset.
I have FSA cranks... it was easy enough to source a replacement inner with 110 bcd with 38t... just a matter of undoing cranks and changing it over.
The only slight issue is purely cosmetic... the chainrings are oem in grey machined alloy... the after market FSA chainring came only in black... no alternative.. but then again it is only the inner ring and doesnt look mismatched in the least to my eyes anyways.

jplaurens

Thx for the info... I will certainly go compact with 36/50 ...until the day when technology will permit smaller diameter wheel hubs and cassette gears as small as 10 cogs.

bice

Smokin Joe wrote:

50/34 is one huge pain in the ar$e.

+1

bice

Smokin Joe wrote:

50/34 is one huge pain in the ar$e.

+1

billy.

JGSI wrote:

In response to swapping inner ring....depends on your orig chainset.
I have FSA cranks... it was easy enough to source a replacement inner with 110 bcd with 38t... just a matter of undoing cranks and changing it over.
The only slight issue is purely cosmetic... the chainrings are oem in grey machined alloy... the after market FSA chainring came only in black... no alternative.. but then again it is only the inner ring and doesnt look mismatched in the least to my eyes anyways.

fsa here too.

nice and simple then.


thanks mate.

markos1963

billy. wrote:

JGSI wrote:

In response to swapping inner ring....depends on your orig chainset.
I have FSA cranks... it was easy enough to source a replacement inner with 110 bcd with 38t... just a matter of undoing cranks and changing it over.
The only slight issue is purely cosmetic... the chainrings are oem in grey machined alloy... the after market FSA chainring came only in black... no alternative.. but then again it is only the inner ring and doesnt look mismatched in the least to my eyes anyways.

fsa here too.

nice and simple then.

.


thanks mate.

Even simpler, you don't need to take off cranks, just undo chainring bolts and slide the rings off, refitting is just the reverse bbut be careful tightening the bolts up as they rotate so you need to use a proper tool or make one up to hold the back still. As for colour of the rings Stronglight ones come in different colours according to finish